HMH Publications | Aircraft in Detail 027: Boeing B-1B Lancer
Reviewed by Kevin Williams
Publisher: HMH Publications
Author(s): R. Pied, Nic Deboeck
Publishing date: 2023
ISBN: 978-2-931083-20-8 (Softcover)
Pages: 178
This particular volume (No. 027 in the series), covers the quite impressive Boeing (Rockwell) B-1, the "Bone". Having had the privilege to see (and hear) a couple of B-1s take off from here in St Louis a few years back (I can still remember being ill from the racket), I've been a fan for years. Everything the B-1 enthusiast could want, and gobs of it, is featured in this book.
HMH originally set the bar pretty darned high, and seem to delight in raising it ever further. Such is the case with this volume, and I wholeheartedly approve. I dare say that the combination of this book, along with the great Daco Publishing volume, will probably sate any desire you may have for B-1 details.
As with the majority of titles from this publisher, this is very much a collaborative effort, using photos from many varied sources, each with appropriate photo credits given, and there are quite a substantial number of them in this magnificent volume. Printed on good quality semi-glossy stock, the photos are nothing sort of magnificent, highlighting many areas of the air-frame, giving both modelers and aviation enthusiasts alike, a wealth of eye candy on this fascinating plane. If there's a detail of the B-1 that you'd like to see, it's more than likely in this book.
While I certainly should be used to it by now, flipping through the pages of a new HMH title, still fills me with awe. The quality and variety of images, is truly mesmerizing. Having been a big fan of the B-1 for years now, a book of this nature was just the ticket for me. Regarding kits, at this time there are unfortunately no 1:32 kits available of the B-1, but it would certainly be huge. The 1:48 Revell kit is pretty darn large as it is.
Photo Samples
As is readily apparent. the images are really quite magnificent. Photos are broken down by section; types, forward fuselage, fuselage, air intakes,, wings, fuselage again, cockpit (many pages), aft cockpit, front landing gear, main landing gear, aft fuselage, horizontal tails, vertical tail, forward bomb bay, middle bomb bay, aft bomb bay, maintenance (many pages here), engine exhausts, ordnance, and finally, Action!! Certainly enough material is presented here, to satisfy even the most passionate B-1 enthusiast, with gobs of beautiful, crystal clear, sharp colorful imagery.
The myriad photos obviously form the backbone of this book, and for me, this is a true blessing, as I can never seem to get enough details, and this book certainly has them in great abundance. Generally, text is very informative as well. Photos are razor sharp, revealing incredibly nice color details. HMH certainly has filled a much needed/desired niche here, elevating the walk around type of publications to soaring new heights, and I hope doesn't let up any time soon. To have an entire wall of books from this publisher would be much to my liking.
For those with a passion for the Big ol' B-1, I can highly recommend this volume. Buy a copy, you will not be disappointed.
Summation
On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate this book as a solid 10, no question about it. Topping out at a very respectable 178 pages of B-1 awesomeness, it's just packed wall-to-wall with details, details, and more details, and is therefore highly recommended.
Footnote
Note: Book cover image directly from HMH Publications (used with permission).
My review copy compliments of Casemate Publishers. Thanks a ton to Casemate, it's truly an outstanding reference book for the Bone, really first-rate stuff.
© Kevin Williams 2023
This review was published on Tuesday, May 09 2023; Last modified on Sunday, May 14 2023